Drug Forms and Routes of Administration

Before FDA Approval Drug company must clearly state in what form or forms the drug will be manufactured Drug company must clearly state what routes of administration are determined safe and effective

Tablets Drug form which contains dried powdered active drug Contains binders and fillers to provide bulk and proper size Many different types of tablets

Scored Tablets Indented line running across the top Can easily be broken into two pieces with a knife to produce two doses

Enteric Tablets Covered with a special coating that resists stomach acid but dissolves in the alkaline environment in small intestines

Slow-Release Tablets Provide a continuous, sustained release of a certain drug Abb as SR slow-release or LA long acting

Caplets and Tablets Coated tablets in the shape of a capsule Easier to swallow

Lozenges and Tablets Formed with a harden base of sugar, water and flavorings Never swallow Dissolve slowly in mouth

Capsules Comes in two varieties Generally easier to swallow

Soft-Gelatin Capsule Manufactured in one piece in which the drug is in a liquid form inside the soft shell

Hard-Shell Capsules Manufactured in two pieces that fit together and hold the drug which is in a powder or granular form

Creams A semisolid emulsion of oil and water: main ingredient water Emulsifying agent added to keep mixed

Ointments Semisolid emulsion of oil and water: main ingredient oil Normally applied to skin without precise measurement: nitroglycerin is an exception

Lotions Suspension of an active drug in a water base

Powders Finely ground form of an active drug Can be contained in a capsule Glass vials with sterile water Packaged: add water

Liquids Comes in one of two forms: solution or suspension Solution never needs to be mixed Solution drug fully dissolved

Types of Solutions Elixirs: alcohol and water-base with added sugar and flavoring Syrups: sugar, water and flavor thickening Tinctures: alcohol and water-base used topically

Liquid Sprays Water and alcohol base Pump or aerosol spray Some dispense as foams

Suspensions Contain fine, undissolved particles of a drug suspended in a liquid base Important to always shake before use

Suspension Types Water base: distilled or sterile Emulsion: fat particles and water Gel: suspended in a thickened water medium which does not have to be shaken

Suppositories A solid base of glycerin or cocoa butter containing the drug Rectal or vaginal Adult or pediatric sizes

Transdermals Consist of a multi-layered disk of a drug reservoir, a porous membrane plus an adhesive surface to attach to the skin Patches

Pellets/Beads Drug can be implanted in the body in the form of a pellet or bead that slowly releases into tissue